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Help prepare for the 2012 Olympics. An appeal to readers:

Dear all,

I am undertaking a study which investigates the information needs of UK travellers with disabilities, long-term health problems or with reduced mobility. 

If you live in the UK, and have a disability, your participation in this study is highly valued whether you travel frequently or not. It would be greatly appreciated if you could spare a few moments to complete the following questions.  Please go to the following link: 

http://www.pbs.plymouth.ac.uk/surveys/TravelNeeds/

All completed questionnaires will be treated as strictly anonymous and confidential.

Many thanks

Sheela Agarwal

More from the UK:

This helpful piece on the mainstreaming of Universal Design by Emily Leibin appeared in Metropolis:

A new trend is emerging as the baby boom grows older. Some homes and communities are designed to allow residents to age-in-place, or for young people to begin their lives in a house that can, eventually, be adapted as their mobility and accessibility needs change over time. These forward-thinking models provide an excellent vision for the future of housing. They can also serve as inspiration for improvements in consumer goods and the design of spaces, beginning today.

These new homes are ahead of the curve. They consider accessible space from the perspective of Universal Design, taking a more holistic approach to accessibility than most regulated public places. Over the past 20 years the Americans with Disabilities Act has had little to do with residential design. Suddenly, this summer, changes to ADA were passed to ensure that, in the future, a minimum of 5% of all housing built for sale to individual owners in the US will be accessible. This is a great amendment. Now for the first time some new housing developments will be required to accommodate the needs of the aging and the disabled. There is, of course, room for improvement; many older residences that fall outside of ADA still need to be adapted for safety and accessibility.

In a survey she conducted for Change Observer, my fellow Metropolis blogger, Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson told the story of a small number of radical visionaries in New Visions of Home.

Read more at:

Of course, you hardly travel for either leisure or business when you are unemployed and the numbers look tough as AbledBody reports:

Two years ago the government began collecting data on disabilities and employment as part of the U.S. Census. The information collected helped the Labor Department to create the first-ever report on the employment landscape for the 27 million working-age Americans with disabilities. Not surprisingly, the outlook is bleak, as reported in today'sWall Street Journal.

Most of us are pretty familiar with the numbers. In 2009, the average unemployment rate for disabled workers was 14.5%, vs. 9 % for those without disabilities. The study shows that people with disabilities are much more likely to be older, or work only part-time, than people without disabilities. (Read the full release here).

But read on to the silver lining:

This summer the European Commission has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of passengers' rights.

Although the European Union has made great strides in recent years in establishing common passenger rights for those travelling by air or rail, not every European is yet aware of what he or she is entitled to.

This campaign sets out to make all air and rail passengers aware of what rights they enjoy under European legislation and how to make use of them.

ENAT is an Official Partner of the EU Passengers' Rights Campaign 

Why now?

In the summer holiday season, millions of Europeans will be travelling by plane and train in search of some well-deserved rest and relaxation. Being aware of their rights will prevent many problems for air and rail passengers.

How will it work?

The campaign is being conducted in all of the EU's official 23 languages so that people will be able to be informed about their rights in their mother tongue. Posters and leaflets will be available progressively from the end of June at airports and train stations in all 27 Member States.

In addition there is a website with more information at 
http://ec.europa.eu/passenger-rights.

Watch the video

Watch this 6-minute video about the rights of air and rail passengers with a disability or reduced mobility. (English text and subtitles).
To view the video in any other EU languages, follow this link

On July 26, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) issued rules to update its ADA regulations and to implement new accessibility standards for facilities.  The U.S. Access Board and DOJ will conduct a free webinar on September 2, 1:30 to 4:00 (ET) on the updated regulations and standards.  DOJ representatives will highlight what is new in the revised title II and title III regulations, including requirements for existing facilities.  Access Board staff will review major changes in the new ADA standards which are based on accessibility guidelines established by the Board.  A significant portion of the program will be reserved for an open question and answer session with the presenters.  

For more details or to sign up for this webinar, visit www.accessibilityonline.org.

Other upcoming webinars in the Board's series will cover accessible routes (October 7), airport terminals (November 4), and play areas (December 2).  Further information is posted on the Access Board's website at www.access-board.gov/webinars.htm. 

Oi gente, dividindo com vcs uma das coisas que mais eu gosto de fazer na vida, DESFILAR!!!! um desfile mt especial, para uma empresa que trabalha na confeccao de jeans para deficiente fisico, show de bola, querendo qualquer coisa eh soh acessar o link deles, www.weadapt.eu Recomendadissimo! Espero que vcs curtam o show tanto como eu de ter feito este trabalho! Beijao no coracao. Fonte: http://samantabullock.wordpress.com/

I was in Washington, D.C. the last week of July for the National Summit on Disability Policy, sponsored by the National Council on Disability. The event was designed to do two primary things: commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and to hammer out disability policy recommendations for the decade to come.

As with any event of this magnitude and importance, the range of subjects and policies was expansive. I had the opportunity to speak with a number of attendees during the four days of the summit, and we agreed that while perhaps more time could have been spent on ways to move disability policy forward, valuable lessons and ideas were nevertheless uncovered regarding where we are and where we need to go.

Hundreds attend WebExtra on disabilities The NFPA Journal WebExtra presentation on July 22, which featured Allan Fraser, senior building code specialist at NFPA, was attended by more than 300 participants. Fraser's presentation, "We Have Seen the Enemy and He Is Us: Including People With Disabilities In All We Do," examined the variety of ways that NFPA codes and standards contribute to the safety of people with disabilities, as well as emerging disability issues that promise to shape future versions of the codes. To see an archived version of Fraser's presentation, along with other archived WebExtras, and for information on upcoming WebExtras, visit nfpa.org/webextra. AUDIO A Q&A with NFPA senior building code specialist Allan Fraser  The definition of "disability"?  NFPA's interest in "disabilities"?  Examples of NFPA codes / standards that cover disabilities?  What issues remain to be tackled?  More audio clips

The full name of the event offered a lot of appeal for attendees: "National Summit on Disability Policy 2010: ADA 1990-2010 Retrospective and Future Policy Directions - A comprehensive dialogue to shape the national disability agenda." There were more than 475 attendees, representing an incredibly wide range of interests and experiences, not to mention 48 states and the whole spectrum of disabilities. The formal program began on Monday, July 26, with hundreds of attendees applauding the opening ceremony that included the U.S. Marine Color Guard and Band playing the national anthem. In his opening remarks, NCD Chair Jonathan Young said that the dialogue and recommendations of what we all need to do for, and within, the disability community to address inclusiveness in all aspects of society have been on the table since 1996. This summit isn't necessarily about generating new recommendations on what to do, he told the crowd; we know what to do. Now it's time to decide how we get them done.

Full story:

http://www.nfpa.org/publicJournalDetail.asp?categoryID=1344&itemID=48424

Travel with autism, and arranging travel as a parent of a child with a disability, often gets overlooked as we discuss travel by PwD. Below is a snippet from an interview by Marla Roth-Fisch that further opens a perspective on travel with a disability:

We have all experienced our senses being on overload at one time or another. Although I love Bon Jovi, I wish I had brought ear plugs to his last concert. If I forget my sunglasses, I feel like I am a walking vampire being exposed to

daylight for the first time. I grew up on fairly simple foods, so I can't handle anything remotely spicy. But when is this typical behavior and when does it cross over to a disorder? When should you seek help for your child?

Marla Roth-Fisch is the author and illustrator of Sensitive Sam, a book written for kids to explain Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). The book is written in an easy-to-read rhyme format and walks us through Sam's daily sensory slip-ups.

The full article:

Around the world people with disabilities are actively inserting themselves into society and asserting their experience as valid. As I travel i always counsel people with disabilities to market to the travel industry their local knowledge of the built environment, transportations and services systems, and cultural issues.

Sandra Rhodda at Access Tourism NZ has picked up on this story about Sonja Gregory of the Hytte reading the signs of the times - right to the bank - and picking up some professional recognition for seeing the future of Inclusive Tourism:

 Usually self-catering occupancy runs around 55% - The Hytte achieved 87% in the first year and 97% in the second, a success Gregory puts down to positive word of mouth.  The Hytte has received regional and national awards in recognition of their commitment to access for all, including a gold Enjoy England Award in 2009.  

Universal Design, Fair Housing, and the New ADA/ABA 

08/04/2010 9:00 am - 08/06/2010 5:00 pm
Tuition $1250.00
Site Visit Fee $40.00
AIA/CES units: 21 AIA/CES HSW units: Yes AIA/CES SD units: No
AICP units: 21
ASLA units: 21 ASLA HSW units: Yes

New features include:

• Explorations of universal design with Cynthia Leibrock, whose work this year has been on the cover of the New York Times, the International Herald Tribune, and U.S. News and World Report
  
• The latest updates on from Bill Hecker, Justice's top architectural expert on Fair Housing
  
• Analysis of the New ADA from Marsha Mazz, who oversees the developments of these standards
  
• Practical application of the ADA from Jim Terry, who has applied the standards to over 100 million sq. ft. of architectural space
  
• Individual meetings with the instructors and multiple opportunities to customize lectures and slides to meet your needs
  
• Three nights of optional activities to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this class. Including: optional tour of the new home of the universal design research library at the Institute for Human Centered Design, the world's largest universal design research library, with Valerie Fletcher, international universal design expert and special advisor to the United Nations; optional dinner with the instructors at the Harvard Faculty Club; gala celebration and dinner at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; and surprise guest lecturers dropping in to help mark the program's twentieth anniversary

As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of this program, there has never been a better time to update your skills in universal design and standards compliance. The new ADA/ABA Guidelines have been adopted as a standard by the GSA, DOD, and USPS requiring compliance by all federal buildings they own or manage. DOT has adopted them as a standards for all transportation facilities. As these new guidelines are adopted as standards by the Department of Justice and HUD, they will replace UFAS and the current ADA standards. In addition, most states and local authorities are updating their access standards. These major revisions in accessibility guidelines, codes, and standards are changing the way buildings are designed (and the professional responsibilities of designers).

At the same time, consumer demand for universal design is increasing. A diverse, aging population remains in the workplace, requiring accommodation to do so. Customers of all ages, sizes, and abilities are demanding products, housing, and public spaces to meet their needs. Patients are empowered by accessible health design while reducing workers' compensation claims and threats of litigation. Multiunit housing projects of all types must comply with the Fair Housing requirements to accommodate the demand of a rapidly growing population of residents with disabilities.

Cynthia Leibrock opens the three-day program with a presentation of universal design research including the latest findings from Japan and northern Europe. Then James Terry discusses accessibility consulting opportunities in private practice. Bill Hecker reviews common errors in Fair Housing together with Justice Department findings. Finally the class will adjourn to an optional dinner with the instructors at the Harvard Faculty Club.

Day 2 offers a thorough presentation of the new ADA/ABA. Question guest lecturer Marsha Mazz from the U.S. Access Board about all of the changes and what they will mean in your work. She will also discuss changes in the ICC/ANSI A117.1 and the IBC. Then Cynthia Leibrock will introduce participants to universal design solutions with measurable benefits for clients. The class will also take a virtual tour of Cynthia's new home demonstrating over 150 green and universal design solutions. Finally, guest lecturer Valerie Fletcher will share global case studies of diverse projects that integrate environmental sustainability and universal design on an optional tour of the Institute for Human Centered Design (formerly Adaptive Environments) in Boston. The institute also serves as the Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center for New England and as The National Fair Housing Design and Construction Resource Center. The tour offers hands-on product demonstrations as well as access to an extensive universal design research library. (This single day may be taken as a separate, one-day program: "The New ADA/ABA and an Introduction to Universal Design Concepts in Practice.")

Day 3 begins with an eye-opening video on a day in the life of a wheelchair user. Participants will then be asked to select from a variety of case histories, which may include health care facilities, public right-of-way projects, assisted-living projects, residential projects, historic properties, hospitality projects, schools, and more. Cynthia Leibrock, James Terry, and Bill Hecker will choose from over 10,000 images and from design research gathered over 30 years to tailor this day to class areas of interest. In addition, the instructors will also be available throughout the course for extended one-on-one sessions to answer your specific questions and discuss your particular interests. We will adjourn to an optional dinner with the instructors at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston to complete our 20th-year celebration.

Whether you are a code specialist, transportation engineer, architect, interior designer, facility or project manager, and whether your practice is residential or commercial, focused or diverse, you will find the interactive three-day program customized by the instructors to meet your needs. Preconference materials including a white paper on universal design and safety will be mailed to you.

Learning Objectives:

• Demonstrate up-to-date skills in universal design and accessibility-standards compliance.
  
• Recognize the common compliance errors made in Fair Housing and the ADA standards.
  
• Master the components and scope of the New ADA/ABA.
  
• Analyze universal design research including the latest findings from Japan and northern Europe.
  
• Carry out review of case studies in specific areas of specialization.

Participants in the three-day program "Universal Design, Fair Housing, and the New ADA/ABA," August 4-6, and participants in the one-day program "The New ADA/ABA and an Introduction to Universal Design Concepts in Practice," August 5, will meet together for the "New ADA/ABA" lecture.

Source:
http://execed.gsd.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/exec_ed/details.cgi?offering_id=101851

I recently received a question on my Linked-In profile, asking me how Universal Design is achieved in the construction of modular homes. I wanted to share my reply with everyone. I would be happy to answer any additional questions. Feel free to post your questions as comments on this post, and I will post answers!

Aging-in-place modifications can be made to the modular home during its construction in the factory, or modifications can be made once the modular is delivered to the home site and placed on the foundation.

Typical things we can do in the factory would include installing all the components needed to create an accessible bathroom (curb-free shower, grab bars, wheelchair turnaround room, accessible sink), raised outlets/lowered light switches for easy access without reaching or bending, and widened doorways and hallways. We can have additional electrical wiring installed during the construction phase in the factory to accommodate automatic switches, locks, door openers, alarms, etc. which would be installed on site. Lever-handle type door knobs, that you can easily push down instead of gripping and turning, can also be installed in the factory.

Looking at Universal Design, emotional design - and just plain excruciatingly bad design Mike Drummond demonstrates that, "If design is not part of your initial development plan, you're doomed."

For product developers and inventors, design is an essential ingredient that needs to go into the mix early - it's the flour or the water or the egg in the cake, not the frosting spackled on at the end.

"When I hear 'dropping in design' at the tail end (of a new product development project), the hairs on the back of my neck stand up," says [Tom]  Kubilius, an engineer and industrial designer.

"If you're going to 'drop in' design," he adds, "it should be the 101^st Airborne and be the first in."

Design is "an argument for doing something or not doing something," Kubilius says, while engineering is an argument for how that something works. Design poses the question: "Is this even the right thing to do? Having design answer that can inform whether you even make a product."

Read more:

http://www.inventorsdigest.com/?p=3978

Read Kanika's story in the Global Study magazine about how as a

Cambodian woman with a physical disability she received scholarships to

obtain her Master's of Social Work (MSW) at the University of Washington.

"I made gains every day in navigating the campus and my studies. I studied

how to organize communities, how to run and facilitate a support group, and

how to conduct a child development evaluation. Through my experiences, I

learned everything is possible with solid English skills and a clear study

and support plan."

Read more at:

www.globalstudymagazine.com/site/articles/503/